Areas and suburbs in Birmingham

The best places to live in Birmingham

Birmingham is a city that, despite its sprawling size, is chock-full of charm and character. New arrivals will have a wide variety of areas and suburbs to choose from. House hunters will have to evaluate their budget, lifestyle and needs to ensure they make the right pick.

Young professionals working in the city may find it convenient to skip the traffic associated with commuting from an outlying suburb. On the other hand, rental prices in the city centre are high. Families often prefer the suburbs, which tend to be leafier and more spacious but can mean a long drive to work each day.

It’s up to each individual to weigh up the factors most important to them, and this can be a daunting prospect. To help in the hunt for the right neighbourhood, we’ve listed some of Birmingham’s best-loved areas and suburbs below.

Suburban life in Birmingham

Sutton Coldfield

A lush area with plenty of greenery, Sutton Coldfield is a breath of fresh air. Families regularly select this area not only because of its green spaces but also because of its range of good schools. Good transport links make getting around by bus, train or car easy and convenient.

Harborne

This leafy suburb is conveniently situated just outside Birmingham’s city centre. A charming Victorian area, Harborne has plenty of green spaces and hosts a good selection of schools. It is also known for being home to some of Birmingham’s best pubs, which can be explored in the pub crawl known as the Harborne Mile.

Edgbaston

Sports lovers are sure to be in seventh heaven in this active neighbourhood. Affluent Edgbaston is famous for its cricket grounds, which frequently host international games. Also in the area is the world’s oldest lawn tennis club, as well as the beautiful botanical gardens. Those less enthused by the outdoors may find the multiple Michelin-starred restaurants in the area a more appealing prospect. Either way, life in Edgbaston is never boring.

City living in Birmingham

Jewellery Quarter

Fondly known as the JQ, this historic area is in the midst of a resurgence and is dotted with old buildings that were converted into new housing units. Residents are never far from a bite to eat or a drink, thanks to the over 80 restaurants, bars and cafés located here. Transport links are good, and those heading into the city centre can choose between an easy 10- to 15-minute stroll or a short tram ride.

Digbeth

Once an industrial district, Digbeth has been transformed into a trendy inner-city area. The Digbeth of yore lives on in the area’s housing, with many of the former warehouses being converted into modern flats. This old-meets-new aesthetic is the perfect breeding ground for creativity, and those who live and work here are often artsy or tech start-up types.